I want to take this opportuntity to offer up some congratulations to a very special person... the most special in my life actually.

Most of you probably already know that Tazlah is my girlfriend and though not married, we have been together for 12 years.

Yesterday... taz got a long awaited, much deserved raise and promotion. She works for a financial institution that is notorious for not advancing people regularly and taz did the unthinkable... she jumped two spots. Very rare in her company.

She achieved it through hard work, perseverance, and just general pride in her job. She deserved the promotion as much as anyone ever deserved a promotion, and worked dilligently to get it.

I just wanted to say congrats in a public forum because I know the world is full of people, that like the rest of us, are just trying to claw our way to the middle. I wanted you all to know that it does pay off sometimes.

Geez -- thanks BH! And thanks for the congrats, guys! I'll be honest, it's been a lot nicer coming to work these past 2 mornings, knowing it's not all in vain! Definitely nice to be recognized for the job well done.

And secondly, Skinsfaninroanoke, trust me on this one thing, singing is NOT where my strength lies. If you don't believe anything else I ever say, believe that! BossHog can vouch for me there! Hard to heckle when the singer's been escorted from the premises after only one word! LOL!